MP doctors’ strike: Healthcare services crippled across Madhya Pradesh on Monday after as many as 8,000 junior doctors of the state launched a strike over government’s delay in implementing a revised stipend structure, leaving the patients in a lurch. The strike led by the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) began at 9 am on Monday and has left routine medical services severely hit, including outpatient department (OPD) consultations and elective surgeries. Disruptions were reported from MP’s prominent medical colleges, including those from Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar and Khandwa. The junior doctors were accompanied by senior resident doctors and interns too.

Emergency services still operational, claim doctors

In the midst of the strikes, the doctors clarified that emergency services are still operational and that the patients in critical condition will continue to receive treatment. The protesting doctors said that the stipend revision linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was slated to come into force from April 1, 2025, according to a government order. However, despite repeated representations to the authorities, the revision was not enforced yet. 

Vice President of JDA, Dr Yashveer Gurjar said that the protest has received widespread support from the doctors across government medical colleges located in the state. He added that junior doctors play a pivotal role in the functioning of hospitals, working round the clock to ensure care for patients and hospital management. 

Patients wait for long hours for treatment

Patients seeking routine medical care have been caught in a predicament. At the Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal, several patients had to wait for long hours to receive treatment. One Gulabchand Sahu, who arrived at GMC Bhopal with severe knee pain, said he had made it to the hospital in the early hours of Monday, and learnt about the strike upon arrival. Sonu Vishwakarma, another patient from Damoh, said he had been waiting since morning for admission formalities. 

Govt begins dialogue with doctors

According to JDA leadership, the demand for annual stipend revision dates back to the commitments made after the 2021 strike. Doctors had initially staged a symbolic protest by wearing black bands on their hands while performing their duties. After they allegedly did not receive a response from the government, they escalated the agitation into a strike. Meanwhile, the state government officials claimed that they have begun talks with the doctors. Commissioner of Medical Education, S Dhanraju, met representatives of the protesting doctors and assured them that their issues will be addressed. On the other hand, a delegation of the JDA is likely to meet MP’s Deputy CM and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla to discuss the matter. 

Doctors have signalled that they will halt the strikes if their demands are met. However, they maintained that the agitation may intensify if their demands stand unresolved.